Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner welcomed NASA’s Crew-10 astronauts to the International Space Station with a lighthearted alien-themed joke during their arrival on March 16, 2025.
In a humorous twist during the arrival of NASA’s Crew-10 astronauts, Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner greeted the newcomers with an alien mask aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The lighthearted moment occurred on March 16, 2025, and was live-streamed for audiences back on Earth.
The Crew-10 astronauts, consisting of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, arrived at the ISS shortly after their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule docked at 12:04 a.m. EDT. The capsule had launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida approximately 29 hours earlier, at 7:03 p.m. on Friday.
As the ISS crew prepared the capsule for deboarding, Vagner was seen floating around the station in his alien mask, hoodie, pants, and socks, adding a playful atmosphere to the occasion. A NASA spokesperson described the scene as a “lighthearted moment,” showcasing the camaraderie among the astronauts.
After the hatches between the ISS and the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft were opened at 1:35 a.m. EDT, the new arrivals were welcomed with cheers. Suni Williams, one of the current crew members, rang the ship’s bell as the astronauts floated in, exchanging handshakes and hugs with the Expedition 72 crew.
<p“It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive,” Williams told Mission Control, reflecting the excitement of the moment.
Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are set to guide the new arrivals through the intricacies of life aboard the space station. Their mission was initially scheduled to last one week following the launch of Boeing’s first astronaut flight. However, complications had previously left them stranded in space, necessitating a return of the Boeing Starliner without any crew.
As the Crew-10 astronauts settle in, Crew-9 commander Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are scheduled to depart the ISS on Wednesday, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida expected as early as 4 a.m.
This playful interaction highlights the unique blend of professionalism and humor that characterizes life aboard the ISS, where astronauts from different countries work together in the pursuit of scientific discovery.
According to Fox News, the arrival of Crew-10 marks another significant milestone in ongoing international cooperation in space exploration.